My Dad's Bestfriend
Chapter 47 When Time Stood Still

Evelyn

Jacob Adriano was strange-enigmatic and weird, to be precise. Why did I suddenly arrive at this conclusion? Well, the reason isn't akin to a lengthy explanation or a solution as explosive as an atom bomb. It was rather simple. Extremely simple, actually. It all boiled down to him placing the blame squarely on me for our failure to complete the painting the previous night. Yes, this Italian man truly believed that it was my fault. Ironic, right?

"I still can't believe you're unwilling to change your statement," I remarked incredulously. His unwavering determination grated on my nerves. I had a conflicting urge to either punch him in the face or kiss him. Ugh! I despised the fact that he was so fucking handsome!

"Why should I change my words? The blame lies with you. You're the reason we wasted the entire night. It's entirely your fault," he casually strolled over to the painting supplies, handing me a set of brushes. "Come on, we need to paint."

My jaw nearly hit the floor. The audacity!

"Hey, you're the one who couldn't keep his dick to yourself," I snapped, shooting him a piercing glare. "Don't try to pin it on me!"

I saw a smirk forming on his lips, and I couldn't believe he found it amusing. What a jerk!

"That was your doing. You shouldn't have looked so irresistibly sexy and seductive," he declared, his tone unwavering. "I was an innocent man before you came along, Evelyn. You've corrupted me." This time, my jaw actually dropped to the floor.

He couldn't be serious right now!

"What? An innocent man?" I dropped the brushes and strode to his side, resting my hands on my hips, "What did you just say?!"

"You heard me right. I was a very religious man before you," he declared, looking smug. "But you, being the devil, diverted my path, and now..."

"You fucking liar!" I yanked at his ear, and he groaned in pain, "Religious? That term doesn't even come close to describing you."

"Ouch, Evelyn, that hurts," he protested, attempting to pull away from my grasp, but I held on even tighter.

"As it should. First, you blame me for us losing the night and not finishing the painting, and now you declare yourself a saint and me the devil? You need a lesson."

"Fine, fine. I'm sorry," he conceded, hurriedly, sounding almost like a scolded child, "Now, let go of my ear."

A smile threatened to surface on my face, but I suppressed it, "First, I want a proper apology."

"What? No."

"Excuse me?!" I twisted his ear, and he groaned in pain again.

"Fuck, fine! I'm sorry."

"That's more like it, good boy," I said, flashing him a grin and releasing his ear.

"That was..." he searched for the right word while he rubbed his red ear, "barbaric."

"Oh, really? Thank you," I picked up the brushes and moved closer to the canvas, which was now placed before my vanity. Well, we had moved to my room after successfully wasting the entire night. The blame lay with Jacob, but despite my attempts to steer the conversation toward painting, he seemed more interested in sex.

The result? A successfully wasted the night and an unfinished portrait.

"Look at you, not a hint of remorse," he said, his disbelief now apparent.

A chuckle slipped past my lips as I observed him. "Come here, you big baby. Let me make up for my mistake."

"How?" He seemed suspicious.

"I'll show you, but first, you need to come here."

Without further argument, he walked closer to me, a persistent frown still etched between his brows. Gosh, he could be really cute sometimes.

I couldn't suppress my smile any longer, and he seemed to notice it, giving me a suspicious look. "What?"

"Nothing," I replied, closing the last bit of distance between us. I slipped my arms around his neck and tiptoed to reach his level as I leaned closer to his face. "Tell me, what can I do to make up for my... what did you call it? Oh yeah," I concluded with a soft chuckle, "barbaric act. What do I need to do to make it up to you?"

His frown disappeared as his arms encircled me, pulling me closer. Our chests pressed together, and the warmth of his skin effortlessly transferred to mine through the fragile fabric of his shirt-I was already developing a fondness for his clothes.

"Well..." he began, a smile spreading across his lips, his voice deepening, "It's up to you, isn't it? What do you think will make me forget it?"

Suppressing my smile, I leaned in and kissed the corner of his mouth before speaking, "Will this be enough?"

He tsked and shook his head, "Too little."

Slowly, I moved to the other corner of his mouth and placed a lingering kiss there. "Now?"

"Still not enough."

This time, I kissed the bridge of his nose. "Still not enough?"

"Yes, not enough," he sighed, shaking his head with mock disappointment.

At this point, I had to hold back a giggle. This man was certainly something else.

"How about this?" I moved in and planted a tender kiss on his forehead.

I felt his body relax at this point, a soft sigh escaping his lips.

"Enough?"

"Almost," he replied, his gaze soft.

"Almost?" I asked softly, before finally leaning closer to his lips, "I think I know how to make it 'enough'," I whispered against them.

"What are you waiting for then?" he asked, his voice husky.

"Nothing," I murmured before pressing my lips against his. Our eyes closed simultaneously. Perhaps the sensation of each other's lips was just too good for us. Well, it certainly was. You're a lucky woman, Evelyn. Incredibly lucky!

I kissed him, and he let me slide my tongue into his mouth, taking it slow. With each caress of his lips and tongue, he left a tantalizing sensation all over me, sparks shooting through my veins. Butterflies erupted in my stomach.

I was so in love. I had never thought it was possible to be in love like this, but this man had proven me wrong. I wasn't sure if I should thank him or blame him.

Moments passed, and he took the lead. We were nearly out of breath, but neither of us was willing to break the kiss; it just felt too good. He kissed me deeply, devouring me, my mouth, sucking and biting on my lips until we finally parted. He rested his forehead against mine, both of us breathing heavily.

"Did I make it right?" I asked, a smile breaking across my lips.

"So damn right," he chuckled before planting a quick peck on my lips. "God, I love you so much."

"I love you too," I nuzzled his nose before finally letting go of him and turning around. "Now, let's get back to the painting, Mr. Adriano because I know if we don't start right now, we'll end up wasting the morning as well, and later, you'll blame me again."

He slipped his arms around me from behind. "What if I take the blame this time?" his tone suggestive.

"But the painting needs to be finished, doesn't it?" I laughed as I grabbed the palette, "I'm afraid you'll have to keep your hands to yourself this time, Jacob."

"It'll be quick," he mumbled as he buried his head into my neck, pulling me closer.

This man...

"Still, it's a no. No sex before this painting's finished."

"That's my portrait, and I want it to be finished later," he kissed my shoulder, his hands moving to cup my butt.

With the back of my paintbrush, I gently swatted his head.

"What the heck?!"

"It's your portrait, but I'm the one painting it, so you have got no say in this," I asserted, "Now go and sit in the corner until I finish."

"This is not fair."

"Well, it is fair. What's not fair is your dick. How can you be so horny all the time, huh?" I chuckled before resuming my painting. The lines were almost perfect; I just needed to match his contours and skin tone for my sleeping beauty. I was sure he hadn't figured out yet that this was a depiction of him sleeping like a kid.

"Evelyn, come on."

"Nope. Now, either you go to the corner or I throw you out of my room."

I could tell he was about to argue again when suddenly, the sound of his phone ringing pierced the room's silence.

Confusion spread across his face; nevertheless, he walked over and picked up his phone.

"Why is your dad calling me now?" he asked me, a puzzled expression on his face.

"How would I know, dummy? I've been with you all night long."

"Oh yeah, right." He finally picked up the phone. Before Jacob could even say 'hello,' Dad's voice sounded from the other side. I couldn't hear what he said, but it seemed more like a demand- I knew that tone.

"What? No. I have no interest in your stupid shopping crap! I don't want to see what you've purchased!" Jacob barked.

Ah, so that's the issue...

"No, Samuel. You're annoying the hell out of me right now. Just go and check those things by yourself. Leave me alone!" Knowing Dad, I knew the end result-Jacob would have to agree with his demands, or else he'd be forced to comply.

"Don't emotionally blackmail me. I also helped you out during college years, and you can't use those excuses to get me involved in your stupid plans!"

Their argument continued for a few more minutes until I began to see signs of defeat on Jacob's face.

"Okay, okay, fine! I'm coming!" And he hung up the call.

"What happened? Did Dad get to you again?" It was hard not to laugh when I looked at the expression on his face.

"Samuel bought clothes for himself, and he wants me to check them first. Like, what the heck?! Are we five?"

"Maybe," I laughed. "Now go, or else he'll show up in your room with all those shopping bags."

"Trust me, your dad's getting weirder every day."

"Hey, it could just be nerves. He's getting married after so long. I think that's why he's acting this way. Make sure he doesn't get cold feet," I chuckled. "Go, be a good friend." "I'd rather be a bad friend and fuck you now," he said as he walked closer to me.

"Jacob!"

"Relax, I just want a kiss." He rolled his eyes and pulled me close, planting a kiss on my lips, and then another. "I'll be back soon. Don't go anywhere."

"Okay." A smile spread across my lips, and I returned the kiss.

And then he walked out of the room.

The smile never faded from my face as I continued painting. Painting him wasn't hard at all, as his image was always vivid in my mind, down to every little detail.

Time seemed to pass effortlessly, easily crossing ten minutes and more in an instant, and then there was a sudden knock at the door.

Must be... No, Jacob wouldn't knock on the door.

Setting the brushes aside, I walked to the door and opened it. To my surprise, a very unexpected face greeted my view-my mother. "Well, what is it this time?" I asked.